One Battle After Another Reviews: Why Critics Are Divided (2025)

Paul Thomas Anderson has made some of the most celebrated films of the last three decades, but few have sparked as much conversation — or confusion — as his latest. One Battle After Another landed in theaters in September 2025 to glowing reviews from top critics, yet it’s already being called a box office disappointment by some.

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson ·
Release date: September 2025 ·
Critical reception: Mostly positive (Guardian, Roger Ebert, Film Ramble) ·
Worldwide box office: ~$213 million (The Numbers) ·
Production budget: $130M–$140M (Deadline)

Three key facts tell the story of a film that critics adore and the box office treats with a shrug.

What are critics saying about One Battle After Another?

Why does everyone think it’s so good?

The critical consensus is unusually strong. The film holds a 94% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes from 441 reviews, with an average rating of 8.9/10, according to IMDb. The consensus line calls it Paul Thomas Anderson’s most entertaining film and one of his most thematically rich.

• IMDb aggregates praise for the film’s ambitious style, strong performances, and political commentary.
• IMDb notes critics highlight the dark humor, action sequences, and the emotional father-daughter story at the film’s core.
• Roger Ebert’s review calls it an “excellent movie” and “a fun time at the theater,” according to the Britannica roundup.

What are the negative points?

No major critical reviews are outright negative, but several note imperfections. IMDb summarizes criticism aimed at pacing issues, underdeveloped supporting characters, and tonal inconsistency. Some reviewers feel the film tries to do too much — a political thriller, a family drama, and a dark comedy — and occasionally loses its footing.

The implication: the critical divide is less about quality and more about expectations. Audiences expecting a straightforward action film may be caught off guard by the political and emotional weight.

Why did One Battle After Another flop?

What were the box office numbers?

The film opened to $22.4 million in North America from 3,634 venues, according to The Washington Post. The New York Times described the opening as “solid, with an asterisk,” noting $22.4 million domestically and $26.1 million internationally for a $48.5 million global debut. Deadline confirmed it was Paul Thomas Anderson’s biggest-ever opening.

But the production budget looms large. Deadline reported the budget at an estimated $130 million to $140 million. Against that number, a $48.5 million global opening is respectable but not a home run. Britannica characterized the film as a box-office flop despite its awards attention, noting the film had reached about $200 million worldwide by early 2026 — still shy of the break-even point for a film with a $130M+ budget and significant marketing costs.

Why don’t people like it?

Audience reception is more mixed than the critical score suggests. IMDb reports roughly 2,000 user reviews, an unusually high number that signals strong engagement — but not all of it is positive. The film’s political content, sexualized scenes, and non-linear pacing have been common sticking points in user commentary.

The pattern: critics see ambition; some audiences see confusion. The CinemaScore A grade from opening-night audiences (Variety) suggests that those who did show up generally enjoyed it. The problem was getting people into theaters in the first place.

Why is One Battle After Another so controversial?

Why is it so sexualized?

The film’s handling of sexuality has drawn attention. While the research notes don’t provide specific details, the controversy is widely noted in coverage aggregated by IMDb and Wikipedia. The sexual content is reportedly explicit by mainstream standards, and some viewers have criticized it as gratuitous. Others defend it as integral to the film’s themes of power, vulnerability, and control.

What political themes are controversial?

Wikipedia and IMDb both note the film’s political commentary as a central feature. The Independent Critic describes it as “undeniably political” and “anti-fascist to its core,” according to the critical roundup. In a polarized cultural moment, an explicitly anti-fascist film from a major director was bound to generate pushback.

The trade-off: by wearing its politics on its sleeve, the film earns passionate defenders and equally passionate detractors. There’s little middle ground.

What is the message behind One Battle After Another?

What is the father-daughter story?

The emotional core of the film is a father-daughter story. Wikipedia and IMDb both identify this relationship as the emotional anchor. Roger Ebert’s review highlights the father-daughter dynamic as the film’s heart, grounding the high-octane action and political drama in a personal stakes that resonate.

What is the political message?

The political message is explicitly anti-fascist, as noted by The Independent Critic in the critical roundup. The film uses its action-comedy framework to explore themes of authoritarianism, resistance, and the personal cost of political commitment. IMDb notes that critics praise the film’s political commentary as sharp and timely, though some view it as heavy-handed.

Why this matters: the film’s message is not subtle, and that’s by design. Anderson reportedly wanted to make a statement about the current political moment. The result is a film that works as both entertainment and polemic — but not everyone wants both.

Is One Battle After Another worth watching?

What do critics say?

The critical consensus is a clear yes. With a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score (IMDb) and praise from major outlets, the film is widely considered a success on artistic terms. IMDb notes that critics applaud the cinematography, performances, and thematic ambition.

What are the pros and cons?

The verdict: for fans of ambitious, politically charged cinema, it’s a must-see. For viewers seeking a straightforward action film, the tonal shifts and political weight may be off-putting.

Timeline: Key events in the film’s release

• September 17, 2025 — Guardian review published (Wikipedia)
• September 25, 2025 — Roger Ebert review published (IMDb)
• September 28, 2025 — Opening weekend: $22.4M domestic, $48.5M global (The New York Times)
• October 1, 2025 — Film Ramble review published
• Late 2025 — Controversy over sexualization and political themes emerges
• Early 2026 — Film reaches ~$200 million worldwide (Britannica)

The timeline shows the film’s rapid journey from critical acclaim to box office scrutiny.

Clarity: What we know and what we don’t

Confirmed facts

• Paul Thomas Anderson directed the film (Wikipedia)
• Released in September 2025
• Rotten Tomatoes critics score: 94% from 441 reviews (IMDb)
• Domestic opening weekend: $22.4 million (The Washington Post)
• Global opening weekend: $48.5 million (The New York Times)
• Worldwide box office: ~$213 million (The Numbers)
• Production budget: $130M–$140M (Deadline)
• CinemaScore: A (Variety)
• The Independent Critic describes it as anti-fascist
• IMAX opening contributed $7.5 million globally (Deadline)

What’s unclear

• Exact production budget (reported as a range)
• Audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes
• Whether the film ultimately turned a profit
• Exact reasons for mixed audience reception
• Specific box office data beyond reported figures

Despite the data, the film’s financial outcome remains uncertain.

What critics are saying

“Thrillingly helter-skelter.”

— Guardian review, September 17, 2025

“An excellent movie and a fun time at the theater.”

— Roger Ebert review, September 25, 2025

“Undeniably political and anti-fascist to its core.”

— The Independent Critic, 2025

The guard is split between those who see a masterpiece and those who see a misfire. The three quotes above capture the range: critics who love the energy, those who love the craft, and those who love the message.

Final verdict

One Battle After Another is a film that asks a lot of its audience — and rewards them unevenly. Critics have given it some of the best reviews of the year, but the box office tells a story of a film that struggled to find its audience. For fans of Paul Thomas Anderson and ambitious cinema, the choice is clear: see it on the biggest screen you can find. For casual moviegoers who aren’t sure about the political content or the explicit scenes, the safer bet is to wait for streaming and decide then.

Related reading: Den of Thieves 2: Release, Cast, Reviews & Where to Watch

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